I live in a land called Mid-America. Here, we want less government involvement in our lives. And we're mostly non-elite, working middle-class. "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson

Friday, January 28, 2011

Why we don't trust government: SOTU and Egypt

From the economy to foreign policy, it's all a mess. The Democrats just don't get it, and the Republicans don't have the guts to do what they know needs to be done. And out here in mid-America, we're fed up.

In a minute, I'll get to Joe Biden. But first, FactCheck.org sent me their weekly roundup. Seems that everything coming out of the mouths of our politicians -- regardless of party affiliation -- is bullshit. Here's a summary:

And now on to our 'jenious' vice president, Mr. Joe Biden. For all of you out there blasting away at Sarah Palin, you really should have a look at Biden. He's just plain dumb...but of course he's not as sexy as Sarah.

Ahead of a day that could prove decisive, NewsHour host Jim Lehrer asked Biden if the time has "come for President Mubarak of Egypt to go?" Biden answered: "No. I think the time has come for President Mubarak to begin to move in the direction that – to be more responsive to some... of the needs of the people out there."

He also appeared to make one of the famous Biden gaffes, in comments that could be interpreted as questioning the legitimacy of protesters' demands. Monitor Cairo correspondent Kristen Chick, other reporters in the country, and activists have generally characterized the main calls of demonstrators as focused on freedom, democracy, an end to police torture, and a more committed government effort to address the poverty that aflicts millions of Egyptians.

Biden urged non-violence from both protesters and the government and said: "We’re encouraging the protesters to – as they assemble, do it peacefully. And we’re encouraging the government to act responsibly and – and to try to engage in a discussion as to what the legitimate claims being made are, if they are, and try to work them out." He also said: "I think that what we should continue to do is to encourage reasonable... accommodation and discussion to try to resolve peacefully and amicably the concerns and claims made by those who have taken to the street. And those that are legitimate should be responded to because the economic well-being and the stability of Egypt rests upon that middle class buying into the future of Egypt."

Anyone who knows anything -- especially the conditions in Egypt and most of the Arab world -- would just have to conclude that Biden is indeed the dunce of Washington.

I say let the Egyptian people decide who rules them. (And I mean the people, not a radical group like the Muslim Brotherhood). And Mr. Biden would be better off not talking. Maybe we'd be better off too.